New Orchid Species In Yosemite

Botanists have finally confirmed that a rare orchid growing in Yosemite National Park is indeed a new species of orchid.

Two U-S Geological Survey botanists and another from the New York State Museum are calling it the Yosemite bog-orchid. But don’t expect park rangers like Adrienne Freeman to tell you where to find the flower.

"We do have concerns about the fragility of this species. This is a very rare flower. So in order to protect it we’re making sure that we don’t reveal the exact location of these populations."

The Yosemite bog-orchid has waxy yellow flowers and a musty smell to attract pollinators. The first specimens of the plant were collected in 1923, and its location was rediscovered by botanists in 1993. But until now it remained unclear whether the orchid was really new or not.